A taste of the high life is much more affordable thanks to rare deals at some of Europe's finest hotels

AUSTRIA
Salzburg
Set on the River Salzach, overlooking the Old Town, the elegant Hotel Sacher has been a favorite of visiting VIPs and royalty for more than a century. Autumn, with the crowds gone, is the perfect time to visit the city of Mozart (43-662-889-770; sacher.com).
The deal: Stay four nights and pay for three from September through November.
The cost: $946 for four nights.
The savings: $315.

CZECH REPUBLICC
Prague
A converted fourteenth-century Dominican monastery in the historic Mala Strana district, the Mandarin Oriental makes the most of its old bones. The spa's glass floors offer a view of the original Gothic church and courtyard, for instance, and the Essensia restaurant serves Eurasian cuisine under Baroque-style ceilings (420-233-088-888; mandarinoriental.com/prague).
The deal: Low-season prices are in effect throughout the year, even in September, which is ordinarily high season.
The cost: $400 per night.
The savings: $116.

FRANCE
Paris
The Tuileries, the Louvre, and the boutiques on the rue du Faubourg St-Honoré and the rue Royale are a short walk from Le Meurice, whose spacious Louis XVI rooms are unabashedly Old World. The accommodations are under renovation, so book one that's been updated (33-1-44-58-10-10; lemeurice.com).
The deal: There are reduced rates through October.
The cost: $827 per night.
The savings: $266.

IRELAND
Dublin
The Merrion, four Georgian townhouses set on a park, has a museum-worthy art collection and elegant public rooms that invite relaxing before a peat fire. A colonnaded limestone pool and a Michelin two-star restaurant are just two of the many draws (353-1-603-0600; merrionhotel.com).
The deal: Stay three nights and pay for two; parking is free.
The cost: $729 for three nights.
The savings: $365.

ITALY
Florence
The Hotel Lungarno is a modern update of a fifteenth-century palazzo on the Arno, just steps from the Ponte Vecchio. Top-floor rooms look onto the Duomo (39-055-27261; lungarnohotels.com).
The deal: In August, stay three nights and pay for two; in September, stay four and pay for three.
The cost: $504 in August; $1,512 in September.
The savings: $252 in August; $504 in September.

Venice
The Westin Europa & Regina faces the Baroque church of Santa Maria della Salute and is within earshot of the gondoliers as they serenade their way along the Grand Canal. Gold-painted headboards and lush fabrics set a formal tone in the guest rooms; the waterfront terrace bar is open through October (39-041-240-0001; starwoodhotels.com/venice).
The deal: Stay three nights and pay for two.
The cost: $674 for three nights.
The savings: $337.